Magnetically operated apparatus for dispensing a chemical

ABSTRACT

Apparatus ( 2 ), for dispensing a chemical, including an aerosol container ( 10 ), which contains the chemical, the aerosol container provided with magnetic material, a solenoid ( 12 ) which extends around the aerosol container ( 10 ), and a control switch ( 16 ) and timer ( 18 ) to control actuation of the solenoid ( 12 ). The actuation of the solenoid ( 12 ) causes the aerosol container ( 10 ) to behave as the solenoid core and the aerosol container ( 10 ) moves from a non-dispensing position to a dispensing position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to apparatus for dispensing a chemical.

PRIOR ART

Chemicals in the form of air fresheners are traditionally used in theform of blocks or gels which vaporise, or in the form of aerosols. Theblocks or gels are usually contained in a container which, when opened,constantly releases the air freshening chemical over a period. This typeof air freshener is only effective for a few days because the airfreshener is constantly being dispensed and the human brain tends to getused to the smell after a few days and then the air freshening smell isno longer noticed and is thus no longer effective. A further problemwith the blocks or gels is that air movement is required to spread theair freshener and therefore its aroma effectively around a room. Theaerosol sprays do not suffer from the problem of being constantlyreleased because they have to be manually operated. However, it is notalways convenient to have to manually operate an aerosol spray. Stillfurther, the spray is effective for a very short period only as thesprayed chemical does not stay airborne for very long.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is an aim of the present invention to obviate or reduce the abovementioned problems.

Accordingly, the present invention provides apparatus for dispensing achemical, which apparatus comprises an aerosol container which containsthe chemical, electromagnetic means, and control means, theelectromagnetic means being operable between a first state in which thechemical is not dispensed from the aerosol container and a second statein which the chemical is dispensed from the aerosol container, and thecontrol means being such as to control the operation of theelectromagnetic means such that the electromagnetic means is in thesecond state for predeterminable periods, and the apparatus beingcharacterised in that the electromagnetic means extends around theaerosol container, and magnetically attractable material is provided forthe aerosol container such that the aerosol container is able to bemoved by the electromagnetic means for the purpose of dispensing thechemical from the aerosol container.

The apparatus may be one in which the electromagnetic means causes theaerosol container to move such that when the electromagnetic means goesfrom the first state to the second state then the aerosol container iscaused to move to a position in which it releases the chemical, and whenthe electromagnetic means goes from the second state to the first statethen the aerosol container is caused to move to a position in which itdoes not release the chemical. Other arrangements may be employed ifdesired.

Preferably, the aerosol container has an outlet valve which is depressedwhen the aerosol container is caused to move to the position in which itreleases the chemical.

The aerosol container may be mounted on spring means which biases theaerosol container towards the position in which it releases thechemical. The spring means is preferably a coil spring but other typesof spring means may be employed.

The aerosol container may be made of the magnetically attractablematerial. In this case, the electromagnetic means is able to attract theaerosol container when the aerosol container has to be moved. Theaerosol container may be made of a magnetically attractable materialsuch for example as a ferrous material.

Many aerosol containers currently manufactured are made of aluminium ora plastics material. The aluminium or the plastics material is anon-magnetically attractable material which means that theelectromagnetic means would not normally be able to attract by magnetismthe aerosol container. This problem may be overcome in two ways.Firstly, the aerosol container may be made of a non-magneticallyattractable material which is then provided with the magneticallyattractable material, for example in the form of a plate or a ringsecured to the outer wall of the aerosol container. Secondly, theproblem may be overcome by having the aerosol container made of thenon-magnetically attractable material and then having the aerosolcontainer being held in a holder made of the magnetically attractablematerial. The holder can then be magnetically attracted by theelectromagnetic means, in which case the aerosol container will movewith the holder. The aerosol container can be arranged to be a removablefit in the holder so that the aerosol container can easily be replacedwhen it is empty.

The electromagnetic means and the control means may be battery poweredand/or mains powered and/or solar powered. When the electromagneticmeans and the control means are battery powered, then the apparatus mayinclude a battery compartment for one or more batteries.

The electromagnetic means may be a solenoid. Other types ofelectromagnetic means may however be employed.

The control means may be a switch. The switch may be a manually operatedswitch. The manually operated switch may be a push button switch or alever switch.

The apparatus of the invention may include a housing. The precise shapeand size of the housing will normally depend upon the intended use ofthe apparatus of the invention. Thus, for example, if the apparatus isto be used in a room to dispense a chemical into the air, then thehousing will usually be small and it may be of a circular, square orrectangular shape. If the apparatus is to be used in a vacuum cleaner,then the housing may be a housing of the vacuum cleaner.

The apparatus of the invention may be such as to spray direct where thechemical is required, for example into the air or direct on tofurnishings such for example as a carpet or curtains. In this case, theaerosol container will normally be positioned substantially adjacent anoutlet where the direct spraying is required.

Alternatively, if desired, the apparatus may include conduit means forextending from the aerosol container to a position in which the chemicalis required to be released. In this case, the aerosol container and itsassociated electromagnetic means may be positioned relatively remotefrom the area where the chemical is required to be released.

The chemical in the aerosol container may be any of the known chemicalscurrently dispensed from aerosol containers, including liquids andpowders. If the chemical is for use on a carpet, then the chemical maybe to make the carpet smell fresh and/or to control pests such forexample as carpet mites. The chemical may consist of or contain afragrance for giving fragrant air and removing the smell which is verycommonly associated with vacuum cleaners as dust bags or dustcompartments fill up with dirt. Dry powder chemicals may be dispensedwith electrical safety from the vacuum cleaner. Where the chemical is aliquid, then appropriate safety features should be employed to ensurethat the liquid spray does not contact current-carrying parts of thevacuum cleaner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way ofexample and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a section through first apparatus for dispensing a chemical,the apparatus being shown in an active state in which the chemical isdispensed;

FIG. 2 is a section like FIG. 1 except that the apparatus is in acondition in which the chemical is not being dispensed;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of various parts of the apparatusshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a modification to the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 6 shows second apparatus for dispensing a chemical; and

FIG. 7 shows in more detail parts of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown apparatus 2 for dispensing achemical. The apparatus 2 comprises a housing 4, the housing 4 comprisesa lower part 6 and an upper part 8 which screws to the lower part 6.

The apparatus 2 comprises an aerosol container 10 which is located asshown in the lower part 6 of the housing 4. The upper part 8 of thehousing 4 is removable from the lower part 6 in order to enable theaerosol container 10 to be inserted in position, and to be replaced whenempty with a full aerosol container 10.

The apparatus 2 has electromagnetic means in the form of abattery-operated solenoid 12. The solenoid 12 is controlled bybattery-operated control means 14. As shown in FIG. 4, the control means14 includes an on/off switch 16 and a timer circuit 18.

The housing 4 includes a battery compartment 20 for a battery 22. Thebattery 22 has a terminal 24 which presses on a sprung terminal 26 whichforms part of the control means 14. The battery 22 is for providing theelectrical power for the solenoid 12 and the control means 14.

The solenoid 12 is operable between a first state as shown in FIG. 2 inwhich the chemical is not dispensed from the aerosol container 10, and asecond state as shown in FIG. 1 in which the chemical is dispensed fromthe aerosol container 10. The control means 14 is such as to control theoperation of the solenoid 12 such that the solenoid 12 is in the secondstate for predeterminable periods of time. Thus the control means 14 isable to ensure that the apparatus 2 dispenses chemical in the form of aspray 28 for predeterminable periods of time and/or at predeterminableintervals.

As can be seen from a comparison of FIGS. 1 and 2, the solenoid 12causes the aerosol container 10 to move such that when the solenoid 12goes from the first state to the second state, then the aerosolcontainer 10 is caused to move to a position as shown in FIG. 1 in whichit releases the chemical. When the solenoid 12 goes from the secondstate to the first state, then the aerosol container 10 is caused tomove to the position shown in FIG. 2 in which it does not release thechemical.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the solenoid 12 is positioned inthe lower part 6 of the housing 4. Also, the solenoid 12 extends aroundthe outside of the aerosol container 10. The movement of the aerosolcontainer 10 takes place due to the fact that the aerosol container 10is made of a ferrous material which is a magnetically attractablematerial. When the solenoid 12 is activated, a magnetic field isgenerated, allowing the aerosol container 10 to be attracted to theappropriate pole of this magnetic field, giving rise to a movement ofthe aerosol container 10. When the solenoid 12 is de-activated, theaerosol container 10 is no longer attracted to the appropriate pole ofthe magnetic field and the aerosol container 10 can then move back toits stand-by position.

The aerosol container 10 has an outlet valve 30 which is depressed whenthe aerosol container 10 is caused to move to the position shown in FIG.1 in which the aerosol container 10 releases the chemical. The upperpart 8 has a bridge portion 32 which presses against the outlet valve 30in the non-operative condition of the apparatus 2 as shown in FIG. 2.When the aerosol container 10 moves from the position shown in FIG. 2 tothe position shown in FIG. 1, then the outlet valve 30 become depressedand the aerosol container 10 is able to dispense the spray 28. Theaerosol container 10 is mounted on spring means in the form of a coilspring 34. The coil spring 34 biases the aerosol container 10 towardsthe position shown in FIG. 1 in which the aerosol container 10 releasesthe spray 28. As is well known, the aerosol container 10 is such thatthe outlet valve 30 is spring biased to its closed position. The biasingforce of the coil spring 34 is less than the biasing force in theaerosol container 10 keeping the outlet valve 30 closed. Thus thebiasing force of the coil spring 34 is to help the solenoid 12 when itis activated. The help afforded by the coil spring 34 enables a savingin battery power and/or the use of a smaller solenoid.

As can be seen from FIG. 4, the upper part 8 of the housing 4 is shownin two positions. The left hand position shown in FIG. 4 illustrates howthe upper part 8 is provided with an internal screw thread 36 forscrewing over an external screw thread 38 on the lower part 6 of thehousing 4. As can best be seen in FIG. 4, the solenoid 12 has a body 40and windings 42. As also seen in FIG. 4, the battery compartment 20 isclosed by a lid 44 which clips into position.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown an aerosol container 46 which ismade of aluminium. The aluminium is a non-magnetically attractablematerial. In order to enable the aerosol container 46 to move when thesolenoid 12 is activated, the aerosol container 46 is held in a holder48. The holder 48 is made of a magnetically attractable material.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is shown apparatus 50 which is in theform of an upright vacuum cleaner and which is for dispensing achemical. The vacuum cleaner may be regarded as a standard vacuumcleaner additionally provided with an aerosol container 52,electromagnetic means in the form of a solenoid 54, and control means56. The apparatus 50 has a housing 58 which is the normal housing of avacuum cleaner.

The aerosol container 52 is so located in the housing 58 that its valve60 is ready for being depressed when the aerosol container 52 is movedto a dispensing condition. This movement of the aerosol container 52 iseffected by activation of the solenoid 54.

The control means 56 is in the form of a push button switch mounted on ahandle 62 of the apparatus 50. Depression of the control means 56 causesthe solenoid 54 to operate from a first state in which the chemical isnot dispensed from the aerosol container 52, to a second state in whichthe chemical is dispensed from the aerosol container 52. As chemicalfrom the aerosol container 52 is dispensed, it passes along conduitmeans 64 to a dispensing head 66. At the dispensing head 66, thechemical is dispensed on to a rotary brush 68 of the apparatus 50. Thechemical is thus able to be dispensed directly on to a carpet, for thepurpose of making the carpet smell fresh and/or killing pests such forexample as carpet mites. A fragrant smell may be dispensed from theaerosol container 52 in order to give fragrant air and remove the smellwhich is very common with vacuum cleaners when dust bags or dustcompartments begin to fill up.

The solenoid 54 is mains operated so that it will only be able to beoperated when the main vacuum motor (not shown) of the apparatus 50 isoperating. This provides a safety feature for avoiding unwanteddispensation of the chemical from the aerosol container 52.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention describedabove with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by wayof example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, forexample, the apparatus 2 may be of a shape other than that shown. Theapparatus 2 may be used to dispense any suitable and appropriatechemical or combinations of chemicals. Thus, for example, the chemicalmay be at least one of an air freshener, a medicament, a fly killer, aninsecticide and a pesticide. The air freshener may be used forfreshening rooms. The medicament may be used in a room such as a bedroomwhere a person is sleeping at night in order, for example, to assist aperson in breathing if the medicament is for being inhaled in order toassist persons breathing. The fly killer may be for killing flies. Theinsecticide and the pesticide may be for killing insects and pests. Ifdesired, the apparatus 2 may be used for dispensing a chemical directlyinto a person's mouth, in which case the apparatus 2 forms inhalerapparatus. A person's mouth may be positioned around the lip 104 of theapparatus 2. Where the chemical being dispensed is a medicament, thenthe medicament may be used to help persons suffering from asthma tobreathe, especially during an asthma attack.

The control means used in the apparatus 2 is able to control theoperation of the apparatus such that it operates for predeterminableperiods. These predeterminable periods may be timed periods in whichcase the control means will usually include timer means for causingoperation of the apparatus 2 at predetermined times for predeterminedperiods. The timer means may be adjustable timer means or it may be apre-set timer means. If desired, the control means may comprise anelectronic sensor which causes the control means to operate consequentupon sensing a human. The electronic sensor is preferably an infraredelectronic sensor. Other types of electronic sensors may however beemployed.

The apparatus 50 may be a vacuum cleaner of a different shape to thatshown. The control means 56 in the form of the push button switch mayalternatively be a lever switch. Any suitable and appropriate type ofchemical can be dispensed from the aerosol container 50, includingliquids and powders. The chemical being dispensed may be dispensed fromthe dispensing head 66 in front of the rotating brush 68, or at anyother desired position. A pipe (not shown) may be employed for enablingchemical to be dispensed into a dust bag 70 of the apparatus 50. Theconnection from the control means 56 to the solenoid 54 is shown as acable 72 but other connecting means may be employed.

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for dispensing a chemical, whichapparatus comprises an aerosol container which contains the chemical,electromagnetic means, and control means, the electromagnetic meansbeing operable between a first state in which the chemical is notdispensed from the aerosol container and a second state in which thechemical is dispensed from the aerosol container, and the control meansbeing such as to control the operation of the electromagnetic means suchthat the electromagnetic means is in the second state forpredeterminable periods, and the apparatus being characterised in thatthe electromagnetic means extends around the aerosol container, andmagnetically attractable material is provided for the aerosol containersuch that the aerosol container is able to be moved by theelectromagnetic means for the purpose of dispensing the chemical fromthe aerosol container.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which theaerosol container is made of a magnetically attractable material, or inwhich the aerosol container is made of a non-magnetically attractablematerial which is then provided with the magnetically attractablematerial, or in which the aerosol container is made of anon-magnetically attractable material and is held in a holder made of amagnetically attractable material.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 andincluding a battery compartment for at least one battery for theelectromagnetic means and the control means.
 4. Apparatus according toclaim 1 in which the control means is a manually operated switch. 5.Apparatus according to claim 1 and including a housing.
 6. Apparatusaccording to claim 1 and including conduit means extending from theaerosol container to a position in which the chemical is required to bedispensed.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which theelectromagnetic means causes the aerosol container to move such thatwhen the electromagnetic means goes from the first state to the secondstate then the aerosol container is caused to move to a position inwhich it releases the chemical, and when the electromagnetic means goesfrom the second state to the first state then the aerosol container iscaused to move to a position in which it does not release the chemical.8. Apparatus according to claim 7 in which the aerosol container has anoutlet valve which is depressed when the aerosol container is caused tomove to the position in which it releases the chemical.
 9. Apparatusaccording to claim 7 in which the aerosol container is mounted on springmeans which biases the aerosol container towards the position in whichit releases the chemical.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 9 in whichthe spring means is a coil spring.